French Directions Part 1: Street Survival Guide

Basic Direction Questions

"Où est...?" (Where is...?) "Comment aller à...?" (How do I get to...?) "Pour aller à...?" (To get to...?)

Essential Starting Phrases:

1. "Excusez-moi, où est la gare?" (Excuse me, where is the train station?)

• Formal and polite way to start asking for help

2. "Pardon, je cherche la rue Victor Hugo." (Sorry, I'm looking for Victor Hugo Street)

• Casual way to ask for street directions

Direction Words

1. à droite (to the right)
2. à gauche (to the left)
3. tout droit (straight ahead)
4. en face (across/in front)
5. près de (near)
6. loin de (far from)

Example Conversations:

1. Q: "Où est la pharmacie?" (Where is the pharmacy?) A: "C'est à droite de la boulangerie." (It's to the right of the bakery.)

2. Q: "Pour aller au musée?" (How do I get to the museum?) A: "Allez tout droit et tournez à gauche." (Go straight and turn left.)

Distance Expressions

1. "C'est à 5 minutes à pied" (It's 5 minutes by foot)
2. "C'est à deux pas" (It's two steps away)
3. "C'est tout près" (It's very close)

Confirmation Questions

1. "Je vais dans la bonne direction?" (Am I going in the right direction?)
2. "C'est loin d'ici?" (Is it far from here?)

Important Landmarks

• le carrefour (intersection)
• le feu rouge (traffic light)
• le rond-point (roundabout)
• le pont (bridge)
• la place (square)

Useful Tips

• Always start with "Excusez-moi" or "Pardon"
• Thank the person: "Merci beaucoup"
• Confirm you understood: "D'accord, merci"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don't forget to use formal "vous" with strangers
• Always add "s'il vous plaît" when asking
• Wait for complete directions before walking away